Money, money, money

fstanmyre · Post by **fstanmyre** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:23 pm

Thanks sleepy man. Looks like $50 is the going rate. I suspect there are cheaper ones that are compatible but beyond my expertise.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:10 am

ufo13 wrote:
my question to "dsm" is: what is the reason you run your auto cpap at a
fixed pressure setting instead of taking
advantage of the auto range, etc?
why have the c-flex set at 2 rather than the
easier exhilation setting of three? i appreciate
any info that might make my therapy better as
well as for others. it is very good of you to
constantly share your insights to help others!

To ufo13.

I am new to CPAP (less than 1 week) but learning at a lightening fast pace due to the incredible wealth of knowledge, experience & talent that hangs out here.

I was advised not to get an Auto by my sleep studies clinic, but I did!. So in deference to them (they have been really great) I set it to CFLE mode but have told them I want to go auto at some time in the future. In my 1st month I am participating in a study for them.

Well it turns out that the RemStar Auto with CFLEX is so new in my country, that I appear to have one of the 1st ones around (they didn't even know the model existed) so the sleep studies clinic & doctors are all ears & eyes & interested and willing to assist & advise. Their concern re AUTOs relates to some local brands that they have tested & had concerns about (I can't really elaborate on this though - names are involved)

So at this time I am sticking to the plan but will go AFLE soon.

Cheers

DSM

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:15 am

PS I have as of last night set the CFLEX back to 3 - going to 2 was part of an experiment.

Also last night the clinic loaned me a full face mask (ResMed) and I must confess it was much better than I had expected & I may switch. I have it for 2 more nights but do have my own brand new one that I will open & use if it keeps as good as it is going.

Prior to that I was using an Activa & I really like it - I was expecting to stick with it until I tried the full face mask. With the f/f mask, I have to wear it tighter, but breathing is so much easier & the funny part is last night I only breathed thru my nose despite having the f/f mask).

Lots to learn & lots of experiments to do. Am enjoying this experience.

DSM

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:18 am

fstanmyre wrote: You folks may want to wait until I get mine and try it to make sure there is no special security tricks but I think this is very unlikely.

Stan,

Great work & I will wait until you confirm.

That looks good to me.

Cheers

DSM

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:24 am

I don't know if I am stating the obvious here, but it seems to me that the RemStar Pro with CFLEX is the same physical device as the RemStar Auto with CFLEX just as it appears the ResMed S7 Elite is in fact the same physical device as the ResMed S7 Spirit.

In the case of the ResMed we can buy a software upgrade that turns a ResMed S7 from a CPAP (Elite) into an Auto (Spirit).

I am guessing the same applies to the RemStar models mentioned.

Anyone else have any insights or knowledge of this ?.

Cheers

DSM

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:05 pm

I have a resmed s7 elite I would love to upgrade to a spirit. Would be nice if anyone knew how to do this yourself.

Also curious to see if stan's new reader works. I have tried two different ISO 7816 card readers and they didn't work. Maybe I did something wrong or need a different driver. Not sure about this.

fstanmyre · Post by **fstanmyre** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:25 pm

Still waiting delivery on the reader. Should be here any day now.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:43 pm

bigcat wrote:I have a resmed s7 elite I would love to upgrade to a spirit. Would be nice if anyone knew how to do this yourself.

Also curious to see if stan's new reader works. I have tried two different ISO 7816 card readers and they didn't work. Maybe I did something wrong or need a different driver. Not sure about this.

My guess is that each CPAP machine's processor uses a serial number as after the software update is applied, you have to phone in to get an activation code.

I will upgrade mine soon (maybe within a few months) so will be able to report on the process & results.

DSM

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 3:50 pm

In the case of the ResMed we can buy a software upgrade that turns a ResMed S7 from a CPAP (Elite) into an Auto (Spirit).

I am guessing the same applies to the RemStar models mentioned.

I know nothing about the innards of the machines. It's true that there is an upgrade (for a couple of hundred dollars, I think) to turn a ResMed Elite into a ResMed Spirit.

I don't think any other manufacturer has upgrades a person can buy to turn a cpap into an autopap.

At any rate, I've always thought the smartest thing to do is just buy an autopap (no matter what the brand) for the few hundred dollars more in the first place. All autopaps can be run as a straight cpap, if that's what's needed. Yet you'll still have an autopap right there waiting and ready anytime you want to switch modes.

Having an autopap is like being able to have a mini sleep study any night you wish...or every night in the case of those of us who use autopap exclusively.

fstanmyre · Post by **fstanmyre** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:49 pm

Thinking about buying another machine as backup and for travel. Phoned cpap world and they gave me a price for the Resmed auto spirit with humidifier of $820 which I guess is about the going rate. Interesting thing was when I asked them about the cost of their autoscan software, they told me they include it free if it's specified in the prescription. This seems to me to be a much more sensible approach than Respironics Encore circus with a msrp of $1000.

I can almost guarantee what will happen to Encore in due course. Everybody will get their Infineer reader w/driver for $50. The DME will give you the smart cards for free, and the Respironics software will be on Kazaa. I know this will annoy the software folk on this site but it'll happen sure as God made the little green apples. Frankly, the way Respironics has managed the Encore mess, it'll serve them right.

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:05 pm

So the $50 reader works?

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:18 pm

fstanmyre wrote:Still waiting delivery on the reader. Should be here any day now.

Sorry, missed this post. Let us know how it works. Thanks

stoveman · Post by **stoveman** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:03 pm

Pardon me, but has anybody thought about how much all this messing around is costing them? Many self-employed people (like me) charge $50 to $75/hour for their time. I'm sure there are some of you that charge rates much higher than that.

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like someone is balking at $150 cost at cpap.com versus some other source at $50.

Also, beware of knock offs! In the auto industry, parts that aren't quite up to spec are not scrapped, but sold to "will-fit" parts resellers (and then sold at retail).

Just look what pirated parts have done to Callaway Golf. They had no idea their designs had been stolen in China until they started getting clubs back for warranty.

I'd rather not spend my time trying to make something work, and instead buy from a reputable company and allow them to make a profit. Profit is what makes capitalism work and has built the USA a pretty good standard of living. Profit is not a dirty word!

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:08 pm

The readers that we are looking at are the exact ones from the exact manufacturer that we use now. If they can read our cards then whats the problem.

fstanmyre · Post by **fstanmyre** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:54 pm

Stoveman, you are wrong. I bought the reader from Infineer for $50. Infineer says they are the exact same ones supplied to Respironics. It's got nothing to do with knockoffs or fake Callaways. It's a free country, go right ahead and pay $150 if it makes you feel good. Anyhow, for those who prefer to pay $50, I'm still awaiting delivery from Infineer and will post the test run as soon as I get it but I'm sure it'll work just fine. PS: Somewhere in this string one of the other forum participants found a website where you can also buy them. Same price $50.

Money, money, money

Re: request ino from "dsm"- "jl"- anyon

PS to ufo

Re: DT3500 Smart Card Reader

RemStar Pro and ResMed Elite

Not easy

apap software

What's your time worth?